Making a Point with a Paint Brush

14 Balinese Artists Make Pointed Social Criticism on Baliís Condition Through Their Art Through December 10th at Griya Santrian Gallery

(10/22/2012) The State News Agency Antara reports that some 14 Balinese artists from the Galang Kangin Group are jointly exhibiting their works critically addressing Bali’s current social and environmental condition.

The Exhibition is underway at the Griya Santrian Gallery at the Griya Santrian Hotel in Sanur through December 10, 2012.

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Made Supena, who leads the Galang Kangin Group of artists, said: " Our three-dimensional installation art being exhibited at the Griya Santrian Gallery examines current social issues in Bali, such as the increasing sale of agricultural lands and the conversion of those lands to other pursuits and the concern of our artists on Bali’s condition via three-dimensional works.”

The artists displaying their works in Sanur, according to Supena, explore the imagination in order to give voice to criticism and their concern for Bali’s condition via works in three-dimensions.

“We also worry about the condition of Bali’s environment, which is declining rapidly, and the large amount of trash on Bali’s beaches,” Supena added.

One of the 14 artists, I Made Gunawan, presents work that focuses on the increasing rate of sale of agriculturally productive land on the Island of Gods and diversion to non-agricultural uses.

“The popularity of selling agricultural land (in Bali) will reduce agricultural output. I am worried that Bali will import large quantities of rice from Thailand after the rice fields (in Bali) have all been sold,” said Gunawan.

The artists in the Galang Kangin Group hope that their art will persuade the local population and religious leaders of the urgent need to address Bali’s the social and environmental problems that are afflicting Bali.